In recent years, safety has become more important than ever to people. Especially when it comes to elective treatment, patients want to make sure they aren’t taking any unnecessary risks. They question whether it’s worth undergoing a certain procedure and how their provider will keep them safe. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, you may have similar questions. Is it dangerous? What are the risks? What does your dentist do to protect you and your smile? Here are some common cosmetic treatments and details about your safety.
Teeth Whitening
Store-bought teeth whitening has the ability to brighten your smile by up to three shades; in contrast, the solution your dentist provides in your professional take-home kits can remove ten shades of discoloration. With such powerfully concentrated ingredients, some patients worry that whitening can harm their enamel.
While whitening toothpastes often consist of abrasive materials that can wear down your enamel over time, professional whitening treatment does not contain chemicals or materials that should harm your teeth. Some in-office whitening treatments, which are completed in just one hour, can leave patients feeling some sensitivity, but this side effect isn’t a problem for take-home whitening kits.
Veneers
Compared to other cosmetic treatments, veneers can seem the most invasive. To get veneers, which are thin porcelain coverings, a tiny portion of the enamel on the front surface needs to be removed from each treated tooth. Without this step, your veneers would stick out conspicuously and attract the wrong kind of attention to your smile.
Before taking away about 0.5mm of enamel, your dentist will numb the area surrounding the teeth that will receive veneers. That way, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort throughout the process. Prior to leaving the office, impressions of your prepared teeth are taken, and temporary veneers are attached to your teeth. These will likely not fit perfectly, but they should protect your more vulnerable teeth from bacteria and help your smile look natural until your custom ones are ready. In the time between, it’s common to experience a little sensitivity, again because the temporary veneers are not personalized to your unique teeth.
Although this process requires alterations to your teeth, it is perfectly safe and effective, helping you achieve your dream smile.
Cosmetic Bonding
While you may hesitate to move forward with veneers because they involve some permanent changes to your teeth, you don’t have to worry about this issue with cosmetic bonding. This treatment is reversible if you change your mind and only takes one appointment to complete. Your dentist takes a piece of putty-like material called composite resin and places it over your tooth. With the appropriately shaded resin, they can reshape or hide the same imperfections as veneers—only without needing to take away any of your existing tooth structure.
Overall, you can feel comfortable about your safety with cosmetic dentistry. For some procedures, you may undergo some lasting changes to your teeth, but you may not for others. Regardless, the results and your newfound confidence are well worth the microscopic amount of risk.
About the Author
Dr. Henry Diep is thrilled to practice at SoHay Dental in Hayward, CA, near his hometown. After seeing the impact that dentistry can have on people’s confidence and well-being as a volunteer at a mobile clinic, he realized he wanted to make a difference for his life’s mission. He attended dental school at Midwestern University in AZ, and he is a proud member of the California Dental Association. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Diep at SoHay Dental, call our office at 510-880-3022 or go online here.